Online Sports Betting in Washington

Legal sports betting launched in Washington in 2021 with the opening of the state’s first retail sportsbook at Snoqualmie Casino near Seattle. Since then, several more retail sportsbooks have opened and more are on the way.

While retail sports betting is gradually expanding in Washington, online sports betting is still very limited, as bettors can only use sports betting apps while physically located on-site at authorized tribal casinos.

Here’s everything you need to know about online sports betting in Washington, including where you can bet, who can bet, and how to bet on sports responsibly.

Details About Sports Betting in Washington

• Sports betting officially launched in Washington on Sept. 9, 2021, when the Snoqualmie Tribe opened its retail sportsbook and began taking the first sports bets in the state.
• The Washington Legislature legalized sports betting only at tribal casinos. While mobile sports betting is technically legal, it is only legal while on tribal lands, making it less accessible than many residents had hoped for.
• Sports betting is allowed at several tribal casinos but not all of the state’s casinos offer it. Although there are 30 tribal casinos operated by 24 tribes, only nine retail sportsbooks are currently available.
• Seven more retail sportsbooks are expected to open in Washington in the near future, bringing the state’s total to 16.
• Unlike some states with legal sports betting, Washington does not allow individuals to bet on in-state college sports.
• Washington’s sports betting laws and regulations place a strong emphasis on protecting the rights of tribal casinos. As a result, more tribal casinos will likely receive licenses to open retail sportsbooks in the future.
• Washington allows individuals to bet on esports events and games, making it one of the few states to specifically permit this type of sports betting.

Recent Sports Betting News in Washington

Since the first retail sportsbook opened in Washington in 2021, the state’s sports betting industry has slowly been growing. As more retail sportsbooks open, many of the state’s casinos are partnering with mobile sports betting platforms to offer online sports betting on casino grounds. Here are some of the most recent developments in the Washington sports betting industry:

• Feb. 10, 2022: Caesars Sportsbook announces it will open retail sportsbooks in Washington at Spokane Tribe Casino and Muckleshoot Casino. The company plans to open these sportsbooks in time for the Super Bowl.
• Feb. 4, 2022: FanDuel and Suquamish Clearwater Casino unveil the 2,000-plus square-foot FanDuel sportsbook. Betting at this sportsbook is now officially open to the public.
• Jan. 19, 2022: The Tulalip Tribes of Washington come to an agreement with DraftKings to open retail sportsbooks at Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
• Jan. 11, 2022: Maverick Gaming LLC sues Washington over its agreement with the state’s tribes that gives them exclusive rights to operate sports betting in the state.
• Jan. 10, 2022: SB 5212 is introduced and would legalize sports betting at card rooms and racetracks in Washington. The bill would also allow mobile betting while on-site at these locations.
• Dec. 29, 2021: Snoqualmie Casino opens the first mobile sports betting app in Washington. Bettors must be on-site at the casino to place bets using the app.
• Dec. 20, 2021: BetMGM opens a retail sportsbook at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.
• Dec. 4, 2021: The Kalispel Tribe opens the state’s third retail sportsbook at its Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights.
• Sept. 28, 2021: The Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort partners with FanDuel to open a retail sportsbook.
• Sept. 9, 2021: The Snoqualmie Tribe becomes the first tribe in Washington to offer retail sports betting at its Snoqualmie Casino near Seattle.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in Washington

Online sports betting is limited in Washington. Bettors may only use mobile sports betting apps while on-site at authorized tribal casinos in the state. Statewide mobile sports betting is not yet available and likely won’t be at any point in the near future. Only one mobile sports betting app is currently available, though DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel hope to launch on-site mobile betting apps in the near future.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in Washington?

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps often operate in a legal gray area, as some states consider them gambling while others view them as games of skill. These apps let users create fantasy sports teams and compete against other users in daily and weekly contests for cash and other prizes.

Washington is one of the few states that has explicitly made DFS apps illegal. Even though sports betting has recently been legalized, Washington prohibits DFS contests. However, as platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel enter the sports betting market in Washington through partnerships with tribal casinos, there is some hope they may be able to start offering DFS contests in the future.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in Washington

Washington residents and visitors can bet on sports by visiting one of several retail sportsbooks available in the state.

For those interested in sports betting, it’s important to follow responsible gambling practices to reduce your chances of developing a problematic gambling habit.

Keep these tips in mind to bet more responsibly:

• Only bet at licensed and authorized retail sportsbooks.
• Don’t use any offshore sportsbooks that claim to operate legally in Washington.
• Never bet while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Set and stick to a strict gambling budget, and don’t chase losses.
• Take breaks or quit sports betting if it’s impacting your personal life or career.

While sports betting can be a fun form of entertainment, problem gambling is a serious issue that can impact your personal life, career, mental well-being, and finances. If you believe you may be addicted to gambling, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance.

Washington Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of June 2022.